John Dancer Violins
276-475-3584
22191 Dayton Way
Damascus, Virginia 24236
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New Summer Projects

6/16/2015

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     I've started two opossum criddles this month, a 4/4 size and a 1/4 size.  For the 1/4 size I am using some maple I've had in the shop for years that doesn't have as much figure as I'd prefer, but it will still look good.  I will be accessorizing it with persimmon, and I sure hope my son will want to learn to play it.
     I will also showing a young man how to build a mandolin and maybe a guitar, too. His school is involved in yearly competitions in academics, sports, arts and crafts, and one of the categories is wood carving.  He won this category in 2014 with a violin he made in my shop under my watchful eye, and is hoping to do well at the competition next spring with a mandolin and guitar.  Like a violin, almost all the parts on a mandolin are carved on to one extent or another, so it can be entered in the wood carving contest, but the guitar may be a different story and need to be placed in another category, but we have some time to figure that out.
     In July, I will be starting training for a part-time real job, and I'll make some entries on my progress.
     The Damascus Artisan Expo went okay.  This is it's first year, and I will be happy to participate in it next year, but events like this need to heavily promoted in order to attract more buyers.  It's fun to demonstrate crafts to the public and answer questions, but emphasis needs to be made on the fact that we are also there to sell.  This event needs to be nurtured and I hope for greater attendance and sales in the years to come.
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Where To Go From Here

6/1/2015

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     If you have been lonely and bored with nothing better to do than to keep up with my BLAH...G, then you've noticed some entries have vanished that were pertinent mostly to May only, but I will reiterate now the things that still apply.  The BIG MAY SALE wasn't what I hoped, but I did sell "Sassy" the mandolin to a NYC dweller, which means that 1/3 of all the mandolins I've made are in the Big Apple, and that's a proud statistic for me.  
     I have also pulled my instruments out of the stores they were in and am now selling only through my website and shop, resulting in lower retail prices now that there aren't consignment fees.  I think my violins are worth more, but times are hard and my current inventory of violins are now priced at $1,500.00, with the exception of my Opossum Criddles, which will stay at $2,000.00.  There are so many aspects to consider in any given marketing strategy, and I've decided that my Opossums are pretty special and that you will get a great value and uncommon instrument, and I'm not willing to sell them on the cheap.  In fact, I may dedicate my whole production to these criddles and establish my niche in violin making.  I started a 1/4 size opossum for my son, so look for some photos in the coming weeks. 
     In a deleted post I stated that I may have to get a REAL job, and that could begin this fall.  A real job would allow me to continue in my luthery while providing income, which will also allow me to hold out for higher sale prices.  So with that in mind, make me and offer on my existing inventory while I'm in the mood to deal.
     I will be demonstrating violin making at the Damascus Artisan Expo on Saturday, June 13th.  
     If all this sounds like self-promoting shameless capitalism, that's because it is.
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Where does the time go?

4/1/2015

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Here it is, April 1st, almost two months since my last post.  I finally finished construction on mandolin #6 at the end of February, and I have finished construction on guitar #6 just yesterday.  I will begin lacquering them tomorrow or Friday, just as soon as I clean up the shop and my spray equipment.  Both are sassafras/walnut/persimmon combinations, with spruce tops left unstained.  I am looking forward to learning the tonal quality of the sassafras and the durability of the persimmon.  The appearance is very pleasing, especially with some "Golden Oak" stain on the 'fras.
February was cold and snowy enough, with 12 or so snow days, which slowed produc-
tion, but I got some reading done, and my French is coming along tres bien.  I've been trying to develop a story in my mind about a violin maker, and I am beginning to outline it on paper.  I don't believe it will be the "Great American Novel", but It may make a good read.  Again, anything to avoid getting a real job.
Here's some pictures of my latest instruments, construction completed but without lacquer.  Also, did you notice my updated "Home Page" photo?
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Mandolin Progress Report

2/3/2015

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Progress has been slow on Mandolin #6.  Sometimes I just can't get it together, or am sidetracked by other needs, or the little-pieces-parts that need to be made require multiple attempts to get them right...it's always something.  I've fit the top to the ribs and did the binding, and I'm currently fitting the peg head bindings, having fitted already the neck joint and truss rod.  I decided to use persimmon for the finger board, peg head veneers, bridge and pick guard, and I will use ebony for the peg head logo inlay and finger board dots.  I think the contrast will be nice.  The combination of the sassafras, walnut, persimmon, ebony, and the bindings I've made should give the instrument a really "woody" appearance, and I'm hoping it will have a powerful kick to it as well.
Usually I listen to the music of the instrument that I'm currently working on.  But since November, I've instead been learning French by listening to cd's from the library.  Over the years I've heard all of the same songs over and over again, and while I still enjoy my own music collection, I thought learning a new language would be a good way to redeem the time while I work.  Plus, I've learned in my life that being able to make an instrument that someone loves to play, being able to play a toe-tapping or tear-jerking melody, and being able to communicate with someone in their own language, are truly rewarding experiences.  Au revoir.
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New Year, New Projects

1/3/2015

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With all that has happened last month, I was still able to finish Violin #37, "Semper Didelphis."  All in all I am very pleased with it, and it need only a musician with style and personality to allow it to entertain audiences the world over.

Beginning earlier this week, I began milling some of my select sassafras boards in order to build a couple guitars and maybe up to four mandolins.  I still contemplate also on making a violin with the wood, but we'll see.  It took a while to sand down the guitar and mandolin sides to thickness, but when the process was completed the wood had a lovely shimmer to it and the shop smelled wonderful.  I will probably use walnut for the neck and binding, but what I'm really excited about is using some persimmon wood I just received for the fingerboard and bridge.  Once again, stay tuned.

By the way, there is an old time tune called "Opossum Up a 'Simmon Tree", so guess what the next possum fiddle will be called and outfitted with.
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How Quickly Things Change

1/3/2015

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It's been a month since my last post, and sadly we've been busy laying to rest my wife's father, Herb.  A year ago he was diagnosed with what was called a pre-leukemia condition, and after some treatments, time, and monitoring, he was diagnosed with acute leukemia in early November.  He got great reports after chemotherapy and seemed to be gaining strength, but he then developed pneumonia and was unable to recover.  We were all taken by surprise by his death, as he was otherwise in good shape;  no heart problems, no diabetes, no other organ troubles.

Herb would come to my shop to see what I was making, and had a way of asking questions that sounded more like criticisms or even accusations on my choice of projects, materials, techniques, or anything else related to my work.  He meant well, of course, but he just wasn't always tactful or sensitive when expressing himself.  You knew you were in trouble though if he'd say, "You're not the only one that's gonna have to look at that you know."  I miss his visits already.
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When things go wrong....

12/4/2014

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When things go wrong, do they really?  I may have said before that during the "finishing" process of any project is when the differences between what was initially envisioned and the actual final result will become apparent.  But are these differences flaws, shortcomings, advantages, or simply, "differences"?  I am working on another opossum violin, and the first color application looked greenish and was unacceptable.  So I sanded it and mixed up some new grey which turned out to be darker than I wished, but, there it is, and I am now in the process of varnishing.  There are many variances in opossum color, from albino to grey to brown to black.  This new one is a dark grey, and I will be using ebony for the accessories, so stay tuned for pictures.  There is a frustration when things don't go the way originally planned, but I've made enough instruments and furniture to know that different may not be bad, but just different, and that everybody has their own preferences and favorites.

As far as the next mandolin goes, I am hoping to sort through the lumber pile today in search of the perfect sassafras boards.  
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There's a "Fras" in the Universe

11/7/2014

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I sent off "Opossum in a Pear Tree" to it's new owner today.  I've also begun the next opossum criddle, "Possumously".  To date, I have the ribs assembled but some sanding on the liners remaining, the top is cut out and ready to carve, and I've carved the 'possum head and I have the peg box interior cleaned out.  I'm now working on the final shaping and carving of the outer peg box and the rest of the neck.  I hope to have this one done by the end of November.

As mentioned, there is a "Fras" in the universe.  I am thinking ahead to the next instrument I'll be making, which will probably be a mandolin made from sassafras.  I will probably make a guitar with it also.  I know on the "Mandolin" page I am showing some curly maple indicating it will likely be the next one, but I have already cut that board up into what will be four violins.  I am looking forward to these projects.  Stay tuned.
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Opossum Progress

10/23/2014

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First of all, it's not done yet.  This photo was taken this morning, with the third coat of finish.  When it's completed, the final photos will be on the "Criddles" page of this website
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What's Next?

10/22/2014

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Over the years,, I've been able to make some instruments that my customers have been pleased to own.  Sometimes though, it is difficult to understand what someone will purchase, but I think I'm onto a pattern.  Years ago, I made an opossum violin, and it sold.  Then a year or so later, I made another opossum violin and it sold.  Three years ago, I made an opossum violin and it sold.  The opossum violin I'm still working on has sold (Thank you, Jim B.).  I think I'll make another opossum violin.  I think I will make a lot of opossum violins.  Stay tuned.

I have in my possession some sassafras lumber, some of which is quarter sawn.  I think I will be making some mandolins and guitars with it.  If you like, I can make you a set:  a violin, mandolin, and guitar.  You would be unique.  Let me know.
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    Author

    It's me again, John Dancer, and I thought it would be of interest to someone if I were to journal the process of building whatever it is I happen to be building at the time, so that one could gain...um...valuable insights of my philosophy and methods.  In other words, these posts will reveal some of the "how and why" of my work.  Again, I thank you for visiting, and wish you well in your quest for...um... knowledge. 

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